Shkodran Mustafi has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal. (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal transfer target Shkodran Mustafi has been left out of Valencia’s squad ahead of their pre-season friendly with Nigeria All-Stars on Wednesday.

Valencia manager Pako Ayestarán, who replaced the sacked Gary Neville, has fueled transfer speculation by leaving the highly rated central defender out of his 23-man squad.

The Gunners, who are facing something of an injury crisis at the back at the moment, will be without both Per Mertesacker and Gabriel through injury while Laurent Koscielny is yet to reach match fitness after returning late from his Euro 2016 exploits.

The Germany international has been strongly linked as a top target for Arsene Wenger’s side and, with their opening Premier League fixture with Liverpool just around the corner, the club are hoping to speed up transfer dealings.

As the current squad situations stands, it is looking likely that Wenger will need to draft in Calum Chambers and Rob Holding as the team’s first-choice defensive partnership to take on the Reds at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.